Koh Phangan Beyond the Full Moon Party: Paradise Island for Yogis, Digital Nomads & Party People

Koh Phangan beyond the full moon party: A paradise island for yogis, digital nomads and party people

This is my 4th visit to Thailand, I’ve seen a lot of this beautiful country but this was my first time visiting Koh Phangan.

To be honest I’d kind of been avoiding it on previous trips as I imagined it just to be an island full of gap year backpackers getting trashed at the Full Moon Party but I discovered that there is so much more to Koh Phangan than the Full Moon Party.

Why I came to Koh Phangan

You might find this a strange thing for a travel blogger to say but it was never really my goal to travel to every country in the world, I travel to be free and to learn more about myself, the world and other people and really all I’ve ever wanted to do is just to find my happy place, and a place that I can call home. (More about why I travel here)

I also hate rain, (that’s one of the reasons why I left the UK) and so I don’t like to stay in Goa during monsoon as most things are closed, the power is off a lot and most of my friends leave.

So I need another ‘home’ for monsoon at least. I have been looking for another place like Goa for a while. I went to Bali for a month and although I loved the island it didn’t really feel like home and I still missed Goa so when one of my friends from Goa moved to Koh Phangan I thought it was about time I checked it out for myself.

Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach, Koh Phangan

I actually timed my visit not to coincide with the full moon party as the island is busy and accommodation is more expensive and even though it was low season and sometimes rainy there were still plenty of people to met, yoga classes to attend and parties to go to.

Why I Loved Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is really a gorgeous island and my photos really don’t do it justice. The beaches have soft white squeaky clean sand, the ocean is clear, turquoise and teeming with tropical sealife and great diving and snorkeling and the interior of the island is jungly, mountainous, magical and mysterious dotted with mesmerising golden temples and waterfalls. Driving around the island on a motorbike if fun and a bit like being on a roller coaster with all the ups and downs and curving corners.

Wat Maduea Wan. Steps leaving up to a temple in the jungle. I had the place to myself apart from these 2 dogs.

Something that I look for in a place is a mixture of hedonism and spirituality. It also has to be warm with beautiful nature, affordable, easy to rent a house and have an expat community (it gets so tiring getting to know new people every couple of days who then move on – not that there’s anything wrong with that but I feel I’m at a stage now where I want to build meaningful, lasting friendships and relationships which is impossible if you are traveling to a new place every few days)

Hanging out at Koh Raham, Secret Beach, Koh Phangan

I just loved Koh Phangan – it was exactly what I was looking for.

Even though Koh Phangan is a beautiful, tropical paradise island there’s still plenty to do and explore. I avoided Haad Rin where the full moon party is held and stayed by the beach in Sri Thanu (a popular place for yogis) I stayed at Laemson Resort (one of the nicest and cheapest options right on the beach but the beds were a bit hard) so I preferred See Thanu Bungalows. I also stayed near Thong Sala, the island’s main town, which has a great food market and is a good base to explore the island. If you like to party Baan Tai is a good choice.

I also really liked the beaches in the North, especially Secret Beach, Haad Yao and Haad Salad, Malibu, Bottle Beach, Than Sadet and the 2 beaches up at Thong Nai Pan are probably my favourite. Haad Yuan, Just around the corner from Haad Rin, is also lovely and is home to The Sanctuary yoga retreat as well as some of the best parties on the island.

Koh Ma Beach, Koh Phangan

The Thai people, other travellers and expats are really friendly, there’s plenty of yoga, meditation and workshops as well as good parties pretty much every night. It’s easy and affordable to rent a nice house and motorbike, most houses come with wifi, it’s easy to get a sim card and the network is consistently strong and the power doesn’t go off all the time.

Wisdom Eye Beach Bungalows, Sri Thanu

There are even co-working spaces, (including one called Beach Hub which is right on the beach!) and 24 hour supermarkets and no creepy men.

Traveling Thailand is so much easier, cleaner and less hassle than India. Of course I still miss the magic of India and of Goa but it’s nice to relax and have an easier life from time to time!

Secret Mountain Bar. Could there be any better place to watch the sunset than in a swimming pool on top of a mountain

Koh Phangan has something for everyone – yogis, digital nomads and party people will all feel at home here. Even families and honeymooners would enjoy the island’s serene beaches in the North. Koh Phangan also has an incredible, magical energy – I can’t really describe it on here so you’ll just have to visit to feel it for yourself. Apparently is has something to do with the island being made from a giant powerful rose quartz crystal. Read more about that here.

I spent 3 weeks here and it flew by and I feel like maybe Koh Phangan can be a new ‘home’ for me. I don’t want to leave but I have a meditation retreat booked in Nepal and then I can’t wait to get back to Goa for the season so I have to go but there’s still so much for me to explore on Koh Phangan so it’s not goodbye – I have a feeling I’ll be back!

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Hi, I’m Anna, I'm a dreamer, nomad and travel addict from England. I left the UK in Dec 2012 and have been traveling around India, South East Asia, Australia and Europe independently and on a budget ever since. Now I want to show you how to make travel your lifestyle too. Want to know more ...

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Hi, I'm Anna

Hi, I’m Anna, I’m a writer, dreamer, nomad and travel addict originally from sleepy Suffolk in the UK. I quit my job in Dec 2012 and have been traveling slowly, independently and on a budget around India, Southeast Asia and Australia ever since. I fell in love with India and am now based there in Goa. I set up this blog to share my tips and experiences for traveling and working abroad to inspire and help you to travel more too. Want to know more about me ...

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1 month agoby globalgallivantingI have to admit I didn't know much about Bhopal before visiting for the Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart and I was pleasantly surprised by the capital of Madhya Pradesh. It's a city of lakes with some great heritage hotels and interesting historic sights and architecture. Most people think that the Jama Masjid in Delhi is India's largest mosque but actually the biggest is here at the Taj-ul-Masajid which literally means 'Crown Among Mosques' in Bhopal #MPTM2017#Bhopal#mosque#MadhyaPradeshTourism@mptourism#India

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Global Gallivanting is passionate about bringing you all the tips and inspiration to help you travel more frequently, more affordably and more adventurously. To help us do that occasionally Global Gallivanting may take part in sponsored trips, partner with like minded brands or earn a small commission from affiliate links but all opinions are my own and I never recommend a product or service that I don't honestly use and love myself. All information here is my own opinion and therefore should be taken at your own risk. Global Gallivanting and Anna Phipps reserves the copy right for all content and images on this website unless otherwise stated. You may not republish without written consent. Thank you for reading!

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